Human Service Newsbytes

Special Family Strengthening Edition

Newsbytes is the biweekly E-newsletter of the National Human Services Assembly that contains information for and about the nonprofit health and human services sector.

January 19, 2007

This special edition of Newsbytes focuses on the National Assembly's Family Strengthening Policy Center, an effort funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.  The Annie E. Casey Foundation leads the charge on the concept that when child and youth development, family development and community development are linked, the best possible outcomes for children, youth and families are achieved.  Young people do well when families do well and families do well when they live in thriving communities.

The National Assembly and many of its member organizations are involved in this work because we share the belief that family strengthening is at the core of our work.  It is a holistic view, one in which we address the fact that personal, family and community contexts are essential elements of an individual's development and life.  While many family strengthening efforts are focused on families with children, the Assembly's view is that this kind of thinking (and acting) is essential not only to achieve the best possible results for children but also for other vulnerable populations, notably older adults and persons with disabilities.

How do we define family?  In a word: broadly.  Family is not simply blood relationships and legalities.  As individual organizations we may have different views of what comprises a family.  As an Assembly of organizations, we take the view that our work is with the support systems that individuals have or desire.  We tend to think of a "family" as two or more people with personal caring relationships who tend to one another's well-being.

In this special edition of Newsbytes, we report on the findings of a study on the extent to which organizations are adopting family strengthening practices and policies.   We also release two new briefs on specific topics.  We are always open to suggestions and feedback, and look forward to yours. 

Study Finds Human Service Organizations Integrating Family Strengthening

Ninety-four percent of national organizations participating in a recent study conducted by the National Assembly's Family Strengthening Policy Center are actively encouraging and supporting family-strengthening at the communtiy level. This is just one indication that a major transformation in the human services community is underway.  At both the national and community levels, human services organizations are integrating place-based, family-strengthening approaches into their policies, programs, and practices.  Family Strengthening at the Tipping Point: Emerging Transformation in the Human Services Field describes these advances. To download the Executive Summary, click here.  To download the entire brief, click here.

Family Literacy

Parent involvement in literacy instruction has a significant, positive impact on children's reading acquisition that is equivalent to a 10-point score gain on literacy tests.  In addition, 43 percent of adults were employed after participating in family literacy programs, compared with 14 percent prior to enrolling.  Family Literacy, a new policy brief from the National Assembly's Family Strengthening Policy Center, explores the promises and challenges faced by family literacy programs, and the policy priorities that will enable these programs to continue their work strengthening low-income families with children.  For more information, click here.

Strengthening Grandfamilies through Respite Care

Census data indicate that about 6 million children in the U.S. are living in a household headed by a grandparent or other relative.  Children can do well when raised by grandparents and other relatives, especially when these caregivers can receive temporary relief, or respite services.  Respite care is an essential part of strengthening “grandfamilies.”  Together with other support services, respite contributes to the long-term stability and wellbeing of all members of grandfamilies.  Strengthening Grandfamilies Through Respite Care provides information on existing respite care systems and gaps, outlines promising practices, and suggests recommendations for federal and state policy makers and the human services community.  For more information, click here.

Previous Family Strengthening Policy Briefs

The Family Strengthening Policy Center has developed a series of policy briefs that highlight best practices to support family economic success, support systems, and thriving and nurturing communities.   Recent briefs have focused on family volunteering, helping low-wage working parents obtain family-sustaining jobs, community health workers, and many other topics.  Click on the title to view the brief in PDF format or visit http://www.nassembly.org/fspc/practice/practices.html.

Other Family Strengthening Resources

• Family Strengthening News:  Free monthly e-newsletter that provides brief summaries and links to the latest news and research on family economic success, support systems, and thriving and nurturing communities.  It also includes legislative updates and upcoming conferences and events.  To see the latest issue, visit http://www.nassembly.org/fspc/news/news.html.  To subscribe, complete the E-Newsletter form on the left side of the page.

• Family Strengthening Peer Network: This group meets 3 to 4 times per year to provide opportunities for national organizations to share knowledge on family strengthening strategies, learn what other organizations are doing, and find synergies and potential areas of collaboration.  For more information, including past meeting summaries, visit http://www.nassembly.org/fspc/aboutus.html#peernetwork

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